Detroit Red Wings Clips January 31, 2015

Detroit Red Wings Clips
January 31, 2015
Detroit Red Wings
PAGE 2
Metro+State: Pulkkinen nets 3 power-play goals for Griffins
PAGE 3
Red Wings call up Marchenko for Ouellet; Lashoff waived
PAGE 4
Wings send down Ouelett, call up Marchenko
PAGE 5
Detroit Red Wings recall Alexey Marchenko, reassign Xavier Ouellet and
waive Brian Lashoff
PAGE 6
Red Wings' loose play in recent games exposed by Lightning, but Mike
Babcock can't complain
PAGE 8
Red Wings' Jonas Gustavsson to start for Grand Rapids Griffins Saturday
on conditioning stint
PAGE 9
Detroit Red Wings anxious to see what defense prospect Alexey
Marchenko can bring
PAGE 11
Marchenko gets shot on blue line
PAGE 13
Wings audition Marchenko ahead of trade deadline, waive Lashoff
PAGE 15
Lightning impressive vs. beasts of East, but must do same on the road
PAGE 17
Tomas Tatar: Red Wings Breakout MVP
PAGE 19
Wings checking out prospects
Metro+State: Pulkkinen nets 3 power-play goals for Griffins
11:45 p.m. EST January 30, 2015
Staff
Hockey:Teemu Pulkkinen became the second player in Grand Rapids Griffins history to
score three power-play goals in a game in Thursday night's 6-0 victory over the host
Iowa Wild. Pulkkinen, who has spent time with the Red Wings this season, leads the
American Hockey League with 24 goals. Joe Murphy scored three power-play goals in a
game for the Griffins on Oct. 16, 2001 at Cleveland.
Junior hockey:James Sanchez of Northbrook, Ill. (U-M commit), William Lockwood of
Bloomfield Hills (U-M), Nick Pastujov of Bradenton, Fla. (U-M), Keeghan Howdeshell of
Brighton (Ferris State) and Keenan Suthers of Macomb (Western Michigan) were
named to the U.S. National Under-17 Five Nations tournament team. The team will
compete against Russia, Finland, Sweden and the Czech Republic on Feb. 2-6 in
Dmitrov, Russia. An Under-18 Five Nations tournament involving the same countries
will be played Feb. 4-8 in Kravare and Poruba, Czech Republic. Nicholas Boka of
Plymouth (U-M), Brendan Warren of Carleton (U-M) and Grant Gabriele of Brighton
(Western Michigan) were named to that team.
Athletics: Oakland University center/forward Corey Petros was named Horizon League
scholar-athlete of the month for December. Petros boasts a 3.43 grade-point average in
graduate school and is pursuing his master's degree in business administration. He
leads the conference with 59.1% field-goal shooting and eight rebounds per game.
Petros averaged 13.4 points and eight rebounds in seven games during December.
Detroit Free Press LOADED: 01.31.2015
2
Red Wings call up Marchenko for Ouellet; Lashoff waived
By Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press 6:18 p.m. EST January 30, 2015
The Detroit Red Wings' week-to-week plan is to get a look at as many prospects as
possible, most immediately right-handed defenseman Alexey Marchenko.
The day-to-day plan is to get the details right when the Wings host the New York
Islanders on Saturday (2 p.m., FSD), with the goal of starting another winning streak
after a six-game one got doused by Tampa Bay on Thursday.
Today, coach Mike Babcock stood by his postgame comments, saying that he liked how
the Wings started and that it was just one of those games in which the puck goes in the
net. He had, though, been critical of some elements during the winning streak, and
those are still in focus as the Islanders arrive with a 32-15-1 record.
"It's just details of execution on our forecheck in our D-zone, on our track, on our sortouts, just all in all," Babcock said.
Marchenko is expected to be the only lineup change, as he replaces Xavier Ouellet,
who was sent back to Grand Rapids with rosy comments on his 12-game stint.
The Wings also decided to clear their roster of little-used defenseman Brian Lashoff,
who was put on waivers and will be sent to the Griffins if he clears Saturday. Goaltender
Jonas Gustavsson will play for the Griffins Saturday on a conditioning stint, as he's
finally ready to play again after a shoulder injury suffered Nov. 5.
Babcock is sticking with goaltender Petr Mrazek, for while he has had a rough few
outings (he was pulled after allowing five goals on 15 shots through two periods in the
5-1 loss to the Lightning), Babcock liked what he called Mrazek's "NHL moxie."
Detroit Red Wings goalie Petr Mrazek stays positive and battles hard. Video by Helene
St. James / DFP
Mrazek -- who is, it is good to remember, only 22 -- wasn't 100% sure what moxie is
(but said it sounded good), but he is sure he's mentally tough. "I feel great," he said.
"You have to just battle hard. I let in a few goals probably I shouldn't let, but just stay
positive and battle hard. Just stay thinking positive."
Marchenko, a 23-year-old seventh-round pick from 2011, is tied for second among
Griffins defensemen with 17 points. He played one game with the Wings last season.
Last year, the Wings dealt prospect Calle Jarnkrok at the NHL trade deadline without
having gotten a good look at him at the NHL level. This year, there's an emphasis on
seeing more of the prospects before the March 2 deadline, with the possibility that
forward Mitch Callahan also could be called up over the coming month, as well as
defenseman Ryan Sproul.
Detroit Free Press LOADED: 01.31.2015
3
Wings send down Ouelett, call up Marchenko
Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News 1:51 p.m. EST January 30, 2015
Detroit — The Red Wings have reassigned defenseman Xavier Ouellet back to Grand
Rapids and called up defenseman Alexey Marchenko.
Marchenko could be in the lineup Saturday when the Red Wings face the New York
Islanders.
The Red Wings also put defenseman Brian Lashoff on waivers. He has until noon
tomorrow to be claimed by another team, or be sent down to Grand Rapids.
General manager Ken Holland said, "it's not a reflection on Ouellet. We just made a
switch of Ouellet for Marchenko. We want to see what Marchenko can do."
Marchenko also is the right-handed shot the Red Wings would like to have on the all
left-handed shooting defense corps.
Ouellet, 21, had two goals and one assist in 21 games with the Red Wings and was a
plus-4.
Marchenko, 23,, a 2011 seventh-round draft pick, has two goals and 15 assists in 42
games in Grand Rapids, with a plus-17 rating.
Lashoff, 24, played in 11 games with the Red Wings with two assists, and a plus-4
rating.
Detroit News LOADED: 01.31.2015
4
Detroit Red Wings recall Alexey Marchenko, reassign Xavier Ouellet and waive
Brian Lashoff
Ansar Khan
on January 30, 2015 at 12:46 PM, updated January 30, 2015 at 1:47 PM
DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings have recalled defenseman Alexey Marchenko from
the Grand Rapids Griffins. He will make his season debut Saturday against the New
York Islanders, general manager Ken Holland said.
The Red Wings have reassigned Xavier Ouellet to Grand Rapids and placed
defenseman Brian Lashoff on waivers.
Lashoff has until noon Saturday to clear. If he clears, he will be assigned to Grand
Rapids.
The Red Wings tried trading Lashoff for a draft pick but found no takers.
Holland said the decision to send down Ouellet is not a reflection of his performance.
The club wants to see what Marchenko can do.
Marchenko, 23, played in one game for the Red Wings last season. He suffered a
season-ending ankle injury, which required surgery, while playing for the Griffins in
February.
In 42 games with Grand Rapids this season, Marchenko has two goals, 15 assists, 22
penalty minutes and a plus-15 rating.
He also shoots from the right side, something the Red Wings have been lacking on
defense.
"I think Marchenko has played well in the AHL. We need to give Marchenko an
opportunity," Holland said. "We had the opportunity to look at (Teemu) Pulkkinen and
Ouellet. We might take a look at one or two more kids so we know what we got."
Ouellet, 21, has appeared in 21 games with the Red Wings this season, picking up a
goal and two assists and posting a plus-4 rating.
He started the season in Grand Rapids and had two goals, one assists, two PIM and a
plus-4 rating in 21 games.
Lashoff, who likely will clear waivers, hasn't played since Dec. 29 and probably wasn't
going to get into the lineup unless the team suffered multiple injuries.
In 11 games this season, the 24-year-old Lashoff had two assists, six PIM and a plus-4
rating. This was his third season with the Red Wings. He played 75 games a year ago
Michigan Live LOADED: 01.31.2015
5
Red Wings' loose play in recent games exposed by Lightning, but Mike Babcock
can't complain
Ansar Khan
on January 30, 2015 at 6:01 AM, updated January 30, 2015 at 12:23 PM
TAMPA, Fla. - The Detroit Red Wings' play without the puck and goaltending hadn't
been sharp the past three games, when their offense and inferior competition enabled
them to stretch their winning streak.
That kind of performance wasn't going to cut it against one of the top teams in the NHL
on Thursday.
The Tampa Bay Lightning exposed the deficiencies the Red Wings had displayed in
recent games, riding Cedric Paquette's hat trick to a 5-1 victory at Amalie Arena.
But as ugly as it looked, Red Wings coach Mike Babcock didn't think it was that bad.
"I thought we had good attention to detail. I thought we played good," Babcock said. "I
thought that might have been our best first period in a while. The puck just went in the
net tonight.
"Let's be honest. It was in the net every time they shot it and so you're down by, not
quite a touchdown, but a chunk right off the get-go."
Petr Mrazek experienced his worst NHL game, surrendering five goals on 15 shots and
getting pulled after two periods.
He had played extremely well in spot starts this season and in the first three games
after Jimmy Howard injured his groin on Jan. 10. But the 22-year-old has faltered of
late, allowing 16 goals in his past four starts, getting pulled twice.
"You got to give him credit. He's a kid who's 10-4-1," Babcock said. "He's our third
goalie. When they (Howard, Jonas Gustavsson) got hurt he still had great moxie. He's
got NHL moxie. He's still got to work at his skill level."
Babcock said it's important to remember that Mrazek is inexperienced.
"He's a pup, he's a kid," Babcock said. "When you think about it, Howie spent (four)
years in the minors. That's just the process for goaltending. (Tampa Bay's Ben) Bishop,
I don't know how many teams he's been on. That's just the process of being a kid.
(Mrazek's) moxie is so good, but we got to get his skill level. He's got to continue to
battle and work on the details of his game and then it'll show more consistent in the
game."
Said defenseman Niklas Kronwall: "Petr's been great for us all year, so no fault on him.
The rest of us have to bear down and do a better job in front of him. I'm sure there's one
or two maybe that he'd like to get back tonight but that's how it goes sometimes."
After Paquette opened the scoring 2:03 in the game, the Red Wings settled down and
played a good first period, getting the tying goal from Darren Helm at 11:59.
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But Paquette's second goal, with 37 seconds to play in the first, turned the momentum.
The Lightning scored three unanswered goals in the second - Steven Stamkos on the
power play at 4:18, Paquette shorthanded at 11:03 and Mark Barberio at 17:39.
"The first period was actually not bad," Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg said. "We
came out and played good. Then the second and third we can just scratch from our
memory.
"I think when you are winning a lot of games, sometimes you start to cheat a little bit
and that's when you go away from your structure and teams will score on you. We've
got to learn from this and get back to playing the way we should and we'll be fine."
Said Kronwall: "We can only cheat ourselves for so long. There's a lot of things that
need to be better and need to be improved."
The Red Wings (28-12-9) had their six-game winning streak snapped. They lasted only
two days in first place in the Atlantic Division as the Lightning (31-15-4) moved one
point ahead of them.
"This is not the first elite team we've played this year, but they were good," Zetterberg
said. "We gave them a lot of free chances tonight."
Babcock wasn't pointing a finger at anyone.
"I'm not looking to blame anyone because what we do here is we win together and we
lose together and we move on," Babcock said.
"We just had a good run here. We won six in a row. We got spanked here tonight. Let's
get back, have a practice tomorrow, get regrouped. We got the Islanders (Saturday at
Joe Louis Arena)."
Michigan Live LOADED: 01.31.2015
7
Red Wings' Jonas Gustavsson to start for Grand Rapids Griffins Saturday on
conditioning stint
Ansar Khan on January 30, 2015 at 6:56 PM, updated January 30, 2015 at 7:23 PM
DETROIT - Jonas Gustavsson will play his first game in nearly three months Saturday
when he starts for the Grand Rapids Griffins against the Milwaukee Admirals at Van
Andel Arena (7 p.m.).
The Red Wings will assign the goaltender to their AHL affiliate for a one-game
conditioning stint.
Gustavsson hasn't played since Nov. 5, when he dislocated his left shoulder lunging to
make a save at the end of a 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Rangers.
"I'd like to do that (game in Grand Rapids) before I'm back," Gustavsson said after
practice Friday, before knowing for sure the team's plans. "I haven't really played much
this year and it was a long time ago so that's a good option.
"I feel good; I've been practicing for a long time now (more than a month)."
The Red Wings need to activate Gustavsson before assigning him for conditioning. A
roster spot will open once defenseman Brian Lashoff clears waivers at noon Saturday
and is assigned to the Griffins (or he's claimed).
The Red Wings might need Gustavsson to play during next week's trip to Colorado
(Thursday) and Arizona (Feb. 7), since young Petr Mrazek has struggled the past four
games.
Mrazek, who's allowed 16 goals in his past four starts, getting pulled in two of them, will
start Saturday against the New York Islanders at Joe Louis Arena (2 p.m., Fox Sports
Detroit).
Jimmy Howard (slight tear in groin) isn't likely to be ready for next week's trip. He's
skated a few times this week but hasn't started practicing.
Gustavsson has been out longer than he and the team anticipated.
"It's frustrating because it takes a long time and you don't really know what to expect,"
Gustavsson said. "When I had groin (injuries) you kind of get to learn how it works and
what you need to do to get them good. With a shoulder it's a new experience for me. It's
obviously a more severe injury but you just stay positive and follow all the steps and
make sure you do everything you can. But it's been frustrating because it's taken such a
long time."
Michigan Live LOADED: 01.31.2015
8
Detroit Red Wings anxious to see what defense prospect Alexey Marchenko can
bring
Ansar Khan on January 30, 2015 at 4:01 PM, updated January 30, 2015 at 4:13 PM
DETROIT - The Detroit Red Wings got an extended look at Xavier Ouellet and liked
what they saw. Now they'll see what Alexey Marchenko can bring.
The Red Wings need to know where some of their prospects stand in their development
to determine whether they need to be active at the March 2 trading deadline.
Marchenko will make his season debut for the Red Wings Saturday against the New
York Islanders at Joe Louis Arena (2 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit). He swaps places with
Ouellet, who was reassigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins. Brian Lashoff was placed on
waivers.
"X played really good the last couple of games, but we made this decision a while ago
because we wanted to have a look at Marchy and see what he could bring," coach Mike
Babcock said. "(Grand Rapids coach Jeff Blashill) said he's played real well down there,
so we're going to give him an opportunity."
Marchenko will be the only right-handed shot on defense. He has good size (6-2, 212),
moves the puck well and is solid defensively. He had appeared in all 42 games for the
Griffins, leading the club with a plus-15 rating and picking up two goals and 15 assists.
Marchenko has played only one game for the Red Wings, logging 13:21 in a 5-1 victory
at Dallas on Jan. 4, 2014. Marchenko, 22, was a seventh-round pick in 2011 (205th
overall) out of Russia.
"Ken (general manager Holland) and guys who go watch him play and Blash have said
is that he's a big body," Babcock said. "We think he's a good player and we're going to
give him an opportunity to see what he can do as we try to figure out how to have the
best possible lineup we can to help win every game."
Goaltender Petr Mrazek, who played with Marchenko in Grand Rapids, said, "Marchy is
a great defensive player, smart guy, right-handed, so I think he's really good. He can
jump in the (rush) and then be back on the D."
Marchenko's season ended in late February following surgery for a high ankle sprain.
"I think Marchenko has played well in the AHL," Holland said. "We need to give
Marchenko an opportunity. We had the opportunity to look at (Teemu) Pulkkinen and
Ouellet. We might take a look at one or two more kids so we know what we got."
The Red Wings might take a look at defeseman Ryan Sproul and forwards Mitch
Callahan and Landon Ferraro at some point. It doesn't appear as if top prospect
Anthony Mantha will get a look this season, since he's had difficulty transitioning from
juniors to the pro level.
The Red Wings don't expect much of a drop off, if any, going from Ouellet to
Marchenko.
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"We like Ouellet," Holland said. "I watched Marchenko play twice (during the break). He
appears to have his game back to where he was last year before getting injured. It's not
a reflection on Ouellet."
Ouellet has a goal and two assists and a plus-7 rating in 20 games with Detroit, playing
well enough to beat out Jakub Kindl and Lashoff for a regular spot in the lineup.
The Red Wings tried trading Lashoff for a draft pick. One team showed interest but
made another move instead.
Lashoff, 24, isn't likely to be claimed. He hasn't played since Dec. 29 and has appeared
in only 11 games this season (two assists, plus-4 rating). He has one more year
remaining on his contract at a $725,000 salary-cap hit.
If Lashoff clears waivers at noon Saturday he'll be assigned to Grand Rapids.
"He needs to play," Holland said.
Michigan Live LOADED: 01.31.2015
10
Marchenko gets shot on blue line
By Chuck Pleiness, The Macomb Daily
Posted: 01/30/15, 6:28 PM EST |
DETROIT >> The Detroit Red Wings know what they’ve got on the blue line with Xavier
Ouellet.
Now they want to see what they’ve got in Alexey Marchenko.
On Friday, the Wings made three moves involving defensemen. They placed Brian
Lashoff on waivers and then sent Ouellet back to Grand Rapids and recalled
Marchenko.
“I think Marchenko has played well in the AHL,” Wings general manager Ken Holland
said. “We need to give him an opportunity. We had the opportunity to look at (Teemu)
Pulkkinen and Ouellet. We might take a look at one or two more kids so we know what
we got.”
Marchenko will make his season debut Saturday at Joe Louis Arena against the New
York Islanders.
“X played really good the last couple of games, but we made this decision a while ago
because we wanted to have a look at Marchy and see what he could bring,” Wings
coach Mike Babcock said. “(Jeff Blashill) said he’s played real well down there so we’re
going to give him an opportunity.”
The biggest upside to Marchenko, who played on game last season with the Wings, is
his size (6-2, 212) and he’s a right-handed shot.
“Ken and guys who go watch him play said is that he’s a big body,” Babcock said. “We
think he’s a good player and we’re going to give him an opportunity to see what he can
do for us as we try to figure out how to have the best possible lineup we can to help win
every game.”
Marchenko has played in 42 games this season with the Griffins and leads to team with
a plus-15 rating. He also has two goals and 15 assists.
Holland watched Marchenko, whose season ended last February following surgery for a
high ankle sprain, play two games during the All-Star break.
“Marchenko appears to have his game back to where he was last year before getting
injured,” Holland said. “It’s an opportunity to see what Marchenko can do. It’s not a
reflection on Ouellet. It’s an opportunity for Marchenko.”
In 20 games in Detroit, Ouellet has a goal and two assists and a plus-7 rating. He
played well enough to beat out Jakub Kindl and Lashoff for a regular spot in the lineup.
“Marchy is a great defensive player, smart guy,” said Petr Mrazek, who’ll start in goal
Saturday against the Islanders. “He’s two-way. I (haven’t) seen him play for a while, but
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I heard from the guys (he’s trying) to be offensive. He can jump in the front and then be
back on the D. That’s really good for him.”
The move also comes with the NHL trade deadline just over a month away so it’ll allow
the Wings to see who they have that are ready to take the next step in their careers.
Ryan Sproul appears to be the next defenseman that could get a shot, along with
forwards Mitch Callahan and Landon Ferraro. The Wings’ top prospect, Anthony
Mantha, appears as if he’ll play the entire season in Grand Rapids.
The Wings tried to trade Lashoff, 24, for a draft pick but we unable to find any takers.
Lashoff, who hasn’t played since Dec. 29, has appeared in 11 games this season
totaling two assists and a plus-4 rating. He has one year left on a deal with a cap-hit of
$725,000.
If he clears waivers at noon Saturday he’ll be assigned to Grand Rapids.
“He needs to play,” Holland said.
The next step for goalie Jonas Gustavsson to rejoining the team is a conditioning stint in
Grand Rapids.
“I imagine that’s what he’s doing,” Babcock said. “He ain’t playing here. I know that.
You’ve got to get your game before you go here, so when he’s cleared and they decide,
then he’s got to go there and he’s got to play some games and get ready to play. We
need points.”
Macomb Daily LOADED: 01.31.2015
12
Wings audition Marchenko ahead of trade deadline, waive Lashoff
KEITH GAVE
JAN 30, 2015 4:19p ET
Alexey Marchenko, Detroit's seventh-round pick in 2011, is one of three right-shot
defensemen there with serious NHL potential in Grand Rapids.
The Red Wings are doing their due diligence ahead of the fast-approaching NHL trade
deadline, sending Xavier Ouellet back to Grand Rapids and promoting Alexey
Marchenko, who will be auditioning for a role as the right-shot defenseman the club has
publicly coveted for nearly a year.
Coach Mike Babcock mentioned in the post-mortem last spring after his team was
knocked out of the playoffs by Boston in the opening round that he'd like to add such a
player. General Manager Ken Holland made a run at several free agents, but wasn't
able to land one. Now, of course, every time a right-shot defenseman is rumored to be
available, like Edmonton's Jeff Petry -- son of former Tigers pitcher Dan Petry -- they're
immediately linked to Detroit.
"If we can get a rightie at a price I can live with, great," Holland said. "But there's not a
hockey store out there where I can go to get one."
Unless you're talking about Detroit's talent mall in Grand Rapids, were coach Jeff
Blashill and his staff are continuing to develop bona fide NHL prospects.
"We like our depth. We like our kids," Holland said. "If we give them an opportunity, they
might be able to do the job as well as a lot of people out there. I'll work the phones,
sure, but we'll also look at our team in Grand Rapids."
Marchenko, Detroit's seventh-round pick in 2011, is one of three right-shot defensemen
there with serious NHL potential, along with Ryan Sproul and Nick Jensen. Marchenko,
who came to North American from the Russian Red Army club led by General Manager
Sergei Fedorov, is the closest to being NHL-ready. He had two goals among 17 points
in 42 games with the Griffins.
Adjusting to the North American game has been challenging, Marchenko acknowledged
in a recent interview.
"It's like a different sport," he said, adding that he's finally finding his game after missing
six months last season because of a high ankle sprain.
"He really didn't feel good until probably November of this season," Blashill said. "He's
just now getting his foot speed to where it was at the start of last year."
And Blashill loves what he has seen so far. "Marchie is an extremely strong, extremely
smart defenseman. He has an unbelievable ability to pass the puck under pressure.
He's a very, very smart offensive player. He's one of those guys that the more a player
knows how to get open, the more (Marchenko) is going to deliver the puck."
On that recommendation, the Wings decided to give him a shot, nothing against Ouellet.
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"X has played real well for us," Babcock said. "We just wanted to have a look at
Marchenko. We actually had made this decision awhile ago because we wanted to have
a look at him. He's only played one game for me (last season), but Blash says he's
playing real well. We think he's a good player and we want to see what he can do for
us."
The Wings also waived defenseman Brian Lashoff on Friday, and if he clears Saturday
he will be sent to Grand Rapids. Lashoff has appeared in just 11 games (two assists,
two penalty minutes, plus-4) this season. His last game was in late December.
Petr Mrazek, the 22-year-old rookie, will start again Saturday in a matinee tussle with
the New York Islanders, another surprising Eastern Conference power this season. It
will be his seventh straight start since Jimmy Howard went on injured reserve with a
groin injury. Mrazek is hoping to find a way to corral the puck with a bit more efficiency
than he has in recent games. He gave up five goals on 15 shots in a 5-1 loss Thursday
night at Tampa Bay.
"Of course I'm not happy. Every shot yesterday went in the net," he said. "But that's
hockey. I feel great. I just have to flush it and stay positive."
It's that kind of attitude -- that and a 10-4-1 record -- that Babcock appreciates about the
young netminder. "He's got a lot of moxie," Babcock likes to say.
Mrazek, a native of the Czech Republic, admits he doesn't know what moxie means,
even though he has a strong command of English. But he'll take it if that's what the
coach says.
"It sounds good," Mrazek said. "But nothing has changed. Sometimes the puck goes in
the net and you don't know why. You just have to be mentally strong and enjoy it. That's
what I try to do."
"That's what you've got to do," Babcock said. "How do you respond? Look, (goaltender)
is an impossible position. It's hard. You have to be rock solid between your ears. How
do you handle the adversity? We'll find out tomorrow, eh? Let's watch and see."
foxsports.com LOADED: 01.31.2015
14
Lightning impressive vs. beasts of East, but must do same on the road
Andrew Astleford
JAN 30, 2015 1:00p ET
TAMPA, Fla. -- The team with fresh questions entered Amalie Arena in need of a
wicked knockout punch to calm critics, spark momentum and prove something inside its
own dressing room.
The Tampa Bay Lightning skated onto the ice early Thursday night against the Detroit
Red Wings, the class of the Atlantic Division, with plenty of that familiar red and those
familiar chants rooted in that familiar history ringing above in Amalie Arena's stands.
But by the end of the evening, after a 5-1 Lightning romp, after all that red and all those
chants were chased, only one team had played with the anger worthy of that color.
"We took a step back in Carolina," said Lightning goalie Ben Bishop, referring to a
concerning loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday. "So to not take another back,
just to reassure where we stand and (that) we know how we can play, I think it was a
good game for us to kind of let us know how we can play against good teams."
Victory music played in the Lightning's dressing room following their most impressive
triumph in some time, given the circumstances and the buzz that came paired with the
matchup. Positive words were spoken following their spanking of Detroit goaltender Petr
Mrazek, who entered with an imposing 10-3-1 record and 2.55 goals-against average.
Doubts were chased -- at least for a short while -- with this answer following a flat effort
to begin the post-All-Star break schedule at PNC Arena against one of the Eastern
Conference's worst teams.
This night was different. The Lightning threw aside the red flags that followed them from
Raleigh, North Carolina, and turned a rout of a legit Eastern Conference threat into a
red-letter day.
Cedric Paquette, the unexpected star, charged hard with three goals after entering with
just six in 39 games. Bishop, the trusted presence in net, made key saves early as part
of his 27 overall to stonewall Detroit and set an appropriate tone. Jon Cooper, the
pleased coach, captured the night's meaning well after his team set a franchise mark
with its ninth consecutive home victory.
"It's good to go against somebody that you're trying to fight for your playoff lives with,"
Cooper said. "So it's more important that we got those points. But the crowd energizes
us. It's a lot of fun to play here."
Fun, indeed. Now the trick is bottling that bolt of energy to be uncorked at any time.
Look, it's obvious the Lightning are a different team at home. Their 20-4-1 record at
Amalie Arena should send shivers down any foe, because the Lightning have proven
that their ice is their space, their territory, their place to shine.
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That's why the rout of the mighty Red Wings, who have just 12 regulation losses, was
more predictable than one might think. The Lightning followed a clunker at Carolina with
a sterling response at home, one that served as an uppercut to the chin that decked
Detroit by the second period's end. Good teams fight back after being smacked in the
stomach.
But can the momentum extend beyond Tampa Bay's friendly confines?
A "yes" to the question would make the Lightning dangerous. They're a so-so 11-11-3
on the road, and four teams in the Atlantic Division alone have fewer road losses in
regulation. When asked after Thursday's morning skate if prepping for Detroit feels
different than getting up for Carolina, Bishop said, "Absolutely," which is understood, but
it's also indicative of a larger problem.
The Lightning, at times, play down to their competition. They mostly have no problem
showing, especially at home, against the likes of Detroit, the Montreal Canadiens and
the New York Rangers. The beasts of the East. But when it comes to less sexy
opponents? Well, anything is possible.
"Some teams are going to have bad games like we did in Carolina," Lightning winger
Jonathan Drouin said, referring to Detroit. "I don't think it was their best game for them. I
think we just played really hard and pushed the pace."
Tampa Bay pushed, all right, enough so that it shoved the Red Wings off a cliff early to
make the third period a snoozer. It's enticing to watch such dominance and aggression
against one of the Eastern Conference's best and wonder what could be.
So this will be a theme to watch in the coming months: Can the Lightning treat most
opponents like a Detroit, even if the atmosphere includes less juice, even if they're away
from home? Can they bring their "A" game against "C" opponents? Can they assert their
will?
Late Thursday night, the questions were drowned in the upbeat music and in the words
that were spoken throughout their dressing room after an impressive victory. Still, what
comes after the noise quiets will be telling.
foxsports.com LOADED: 01.31.2015
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Tomas Tatar: Red Wings Breakout MVP
By: Andrea Nelson - Fox Sports Detroit
January 30, 2015
There’s nothing better than having your hometown team at the top of the standings,
which is exactly where the Detroit Red Wings are sitting this week.
Despite being without their top two goaltenders – Jimmy Howard and Jonas Gustavsson
– of late, the Wings have risen to the top of the Atlantic Division, and are tied for first
place in the Eastern Conference.
The team’s success, especially during its current six-game winning streak, is thanks in
large part to the breakout season forward Tomas Tatar is having, which is why we turn
our attention to the 24-year-old as the Wings’ MVP of the first half of the season.
Tatar got off to a slow start to begin the 2014-15 season, scoring just one goal in the
first nine games. But the forward wasn’t deterred, and with a two-goal performance in a
5-2 victory over Nashville on Jan. 17, Tatar became the first Wing to reach 20 goals this
season.
“I don’t know, I never really thought about it,” Tatar said at the time. “Obviously it’s a
nice accomplishment. Hopefully keep shooting and keep scoring.”
The accomplishment marked the first time Tatar scored 20 goals in a single NHL
season, and the sixth time in his professional career. He has already passed last year’s
tally of 19 goals in 73 games.
“I’m not really thinking about it right now (reaching 20 goals), but obviously I’m happy I
did it and hopefully I’ll keep scoring and help the team pick up wins,” Tatar said.
He has certainly done that. Through 48 games, Tatar leads the Wings with 21 goals (9th
in the NHL), and ranks fourth with 34 points.
Tatar has also scored five game-winning goals, improving on his three last year, which
ranks third in the NHL.
“He’s a very dangerous scorer,” said teammate Stephen Weiss. “He’s got a real good
shot and he’s got a lot of energy. He’s a fun guy to be around, a fun guy to be around in
practice. He practices hard and he works at it. He’s turned into quite the star.”
Tatar’s success hasn’t gone unnoticed by the league, either.
On Jan. 19, Tatar was named the NHL’s Second Star of the Week for his part in the
Wings’ four-game winning streak from Jan. 13 through Jan. 18. During that time, Tatar
scored five goals, including a game-winner against the Predators, and notched two
assists.
His power-play goal against the Predators came when he batted Riley Sheahan’s pass
out of mid-air past Marek Mazanec, who replaced Carter Hutton after Hutton allowed
three goals on four shots.
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“It was just a reaction,” Tatar said. “I cut to the middle and I saw puck coming in the air,
just knock it in. It was more luck than anything else. I was just happy the puck went in.”
The puck has been going in the net for Tatar quite a bit this season, and if the second
half is anything like the first, the 24-year-old could play a major role in helping the Red
Wings reach the postseason for the 24th straight season.
foxsports.com LOADED: 01.31.2015
18
Wings checking out prospects
By Bob Duff / Windsor Star
The Detroit Red Wings figure it’s time to find out what they have from within, perhaps
before they go elsewhere in search of help.
Friday, the Wings recalled defenceman Alexey Marchenko from AHL Grand Rapids and
assigned defenceman Xavier Ouellet to Grand Rapids, while placing a third
defenceman, Brian Lashoff, on waivers.
Marchenko will play Saturday afternoon at Joe Louis Arena against the New York
Islanders.
It’s no knock against Ouellet, who has performed solidly since he came up from the
minors Dec. 31 to replace the injured Jakub Kindl. But if the Wings are to make a move
for a right-handed shooting defenceman prior to the March 2 NHL trade deadline, best
that they find out what the right-hand shot blueliners already in their system have to
offer.
“(Detroit GM) Ken (Holland) and guys who go watch him play and Blash (Grand Rapids
coach Jeff Blashill) think he’s a good player and we’re going to give him an opportunity
to see what he can do for us as we try to figure out how to have the best possible lineup
we can to help win every game,” Detroit coach Mike Babcock said.
Marchenko played one game with the Wings last season but saw his season ended in
February by ankle surgery.
“It’s an opportunity to see what Marchenko can do,” Holland said. “It’s not a reflection on
Ouellet.
“Marchenko appears to have his game back to where he was last year before getting
injured.”
Other Wings prospects may get a look in Detroit before deadline day arrives such as
defenceman Ryan Sproul, another right-hand shot and forwards Landon Ferraro and
Mitch Callahan, all of whom saw brief stints with Detroit last season.
“We had the opportunity to look at (right-winger Teemu) Pulkkinen and Ouellet,” Holland
said. “We might take a look at one or two more kids so we know what we’ve got.”
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